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Clashes between Shi’ite Houthis and Sunnis in Yemen leave 26 dead

Anti-Houthi protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against the Shi’ite Muslim militia group in the southwestern city of Taiz February 14, 2015. REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi

(Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Yemenis demonstrated in several cities on Saturday against the rule of the Shi’ite Muslim Houthi movement as clashes between Houthis and Sunnis in a southern mountainous region left 26 dead.

It was the second day of nationwide demonstrations against the Iranian-backed Houthis in less than a week after their dissolution of parliament this month unraveled security and sent Western and Arab embassies packing.

Houthi gunmen fired on protesters in the central town of Ibb and wounded four, medics said.

Activists said they were enraged by the death on Saturday of Saleh al-Bashiri, who they say was detained by gunmen as they broke up an anti-Houthi protest in Sanaa two weeks ago and was released to a hospital with signs of torture on his body on Thursday. There was no immediate comment from the Houthis…

Armed Houthis gather around the wreckage of a vehicle set a blaze by angry protesters after Houthis fired on them in Yemen’s central town of Ibb February 14, 2015. REUTERS/Essam al-Kamaly